Fire Dragon

Pyro Dragon
Medium: digital painting

With tempers as fiery as their scales, Pyro Dragons live only in the hottest areas of the world. Many are found around volcanoes, both tropical and desert. These dragons are known for being easily enraged, and when angry, they don't hesitate to unleash their flame. They produce flame from glands in the mouth which secrete flammable chemicals. These glands are constantly working, supplying Pyros with seemingly infinite firepower. They are large dragons, about the size of elephants. Their hard scales provide excellent armor. The fleshy growths on their necks, backs, and tails have a dual purpose: Pyros use them to steer while flying, as well as to test temperatures.

Pyros are very sensitive to cold. It's said to be one of their few weaknesses. If the temperature around them gets too cold, they are known to ignite the ground around them and to bathe rocks in flame to create heat. If Pyros loose too much heat to their surroundings, they become lethargic and will eventually fall into a deep sleep, sometimes for centuries. Many cultures have legends that tell of slumbering Pyros beneath volcanoes.

These dragons, like many other species, also enjoy collecting shiny objects. Males will often decorate their lairs with treasures stolen from nearby humans in order to attract a female. Some humans have been able to appease a Pyro dragon by offering them gold, silver, or precious jewels. Pyro dragons generally live in pairs of one male and one female. They breed every few years, laying a single egg. The parent dragons build a nest of stones around the egg and bathe the stones in fire. Thus the egg itself is not directly exposed to the flames, but is still kept at a very high temperature. Like crocodiles, the temperature of the egg determines the gender of the baby inside. A hot temperature ensures a male dragon, and a cooler temperature ensures a female.